Saturday, April 13, 2013

2013 Deck Log Entries

Welcome to the latest version of the QMSS.com Deck Log! Just add your comments to this post. You can comment as one of the available login choices, or just use "Name/URL" to put your name and rank.

Please add your city, and commands; it makes it interesting.

Time entry is automatic. When I imported the old entries I added the timestamp of the originals; you won't need to do that.

13 comments:

  1. Well, here we are. After struggling to get the old deck log working on my new server, I finally gave up. This seems to be the best option, also being free.

    I did have the old log backed up, and manually entered all the comments into this blog. Why, yes, it was tedious, thanks for asking, but now I can read through the old entries at my leisure, and so can you!

    As always, I have a standing request for new sea stories, articles, and links of interest to a navigator. Let's keep the site fresh and worth returning to!

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  2. I was browsing the internet and found your site about US Navy quartermasters.
    I have a short story for you, thought you might be interested...

    My Dad joined the USN in 1945 and served about 6 months in the Pacific as bos'n mate. He was discharged when the war ended. He re-enlisted about a year later and served as Quartermaster. Dad made E6 around 1954 and then served as QM on the USS Glacier (AGB 4), during Operation Deep Freeze (1955-1956) and Deep Freeze 2 (1956-1957). Around 1960, he was sent to OCS and came out as Lt.jg. He was Navigator. Dad served on many ships based at Norfolk, Va. and retired as an LDO with 2 silver bars in 1971...

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  3. Its great to see the Deck Log back on line.

    hank
    QM2, USNR, 1966-1972
    USS Dewey (DLG-14)
    Hometown: Tampa, FL

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  4. Back when the Earth was young and dinosaurs roamed the land, I was a US Navy Quartermaster. I miss the life and would like to swap sea stories and navigation talk with an active duty QM. Email me if you know of a site the QM's hang out on or if you are a QM. I am interested to see how things are done nowadays.
    Fair Winds, Boys!
    1Nut Louie bearoothwildlands@yahoo.com

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  5. There are men working in the sail.
    Do not raise,lower,rotate or radiate from any mast or antenna.
    There are men working in the sail.

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  6. There are men working in the sail.
    Do not raise,lower,rotate or radiate from any mast or antenna.
    There are men working in the sail.

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  7. There are men in the sail. Do not raise, lower, rotate or radiate any mast or antenna. There are men in the sail.

    Can't remember all of this one: "There are divers over the side. Do not spin the shaft ..."

    Loved my job: knew where we’d been, what we were doing, why were there, where we were going, when we’d be there, and from whom we kept it a secret! lol This QM3 got qualified during 1st patrol aboard USS Alexander Hamilton, Gold, SSBN 617. Was very expectant about getting my hard-earned-did-not-sleep-one-patrol Silver Dolphins. I watched in anger as guys who were given one year waivers were getting pinned and no one, Navigator, ANav, XO, CO, PN – I mean NO ONE said a thing to me. Well, as it turned out, I was glad to have kept my mouth shut for once! We got back to Groton, CT and had a ship’s formation. Got called to the front to join CO, XO, COB, Nav, & ANav...boy was I thrilled but that soon turned to shock and awe as Rear Admiral James R. Lewis appeared and pinned on my Silver Dolphins as CO read Rear Admiral’s Acknowledgement & Submarine Qualification Certification. That’s a moment hard to beat especially since CO also presented his Certification immediately after the Admiral's. 0.o

    Later I made QM2 and was sent to serve as Assistant Navigator to Navigator, Lt. M. Kehoe aboard USS Skipjack SSN 585. This was a fast, hot running boat with an aggressive CO, Cdr. Plath who would run down-the-throat shots during simulated and real-time exercises and get hits every time: the closure rate was an unbelievable 60-70 knots. No manual Fire Control Team could keep up and no Weapons Officer in Fire Control would believe the electronic closure rate, which was correct, so on the side of safety the targets, every one of them, evaded giving Skipjack a perfect side silhouetted target–green flares all around boys lol.

    Skipjack's XO was as aggressive as Cdr. Plath. We had our differences of opinion such that, the Wardroom would clear to give us room! LCdr. William "Wild Bill" McGann III is the Naval Officer for whom I've the most respect. Through it all, our multiple encounters of differences - keep in mind, I'm a QM2(SS) ANav! - the CO/XO were taking no chances nor prisoners: I learned more from that dynamic CO/XO/Nav trio than at any other Command. And, XO saw fit to approve a recommendation via the CO to the Squadron Commander, Captain T. E. Lewin who signed a letter of Commendation for "aggressive and effective leadership". XO could have put me in the brig! We were vociferous and serious about being ready to sink ships. Have we gone to sea to make war, Skipjack would have returned to port without weapons and with many hits. This Crew was sharp and spirited.

    I then went on as QM1(SS) to the USS Barb SSN 596; after that I stayed in the Navy Reserve and got changed to ET1(SS). I miss the boats, the Crews, the importance of the work.

    Ahoy to all my Shipmates.

    Ahoy to all SS Sailors, especially to those who are at this moment punching holes through the ocean: thank you for your service.

    "Now, commence field day!"

    LOL LOL Have a great day, Everyone.

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  8. Entered the USN in 87, QM "A" school in Orlando after RTC Orlando. Went QMS in New London and ended up in Pearl on the NYC (SSN-696) followed by the Omaha (SSN-692) and Bremerton (SSN-698). Went to shore duty got in massive amounts of trouble and begged and pleaded with detailer to put me back to sea. He said no as I maxed out my time on the boats and released me to the surface detailer. Ended up on the Carl Vinson CVN-70 out of NAS Alameda. Made E-6 during that time. In 96 while off the coast of California doing air ops, the QMCM demanded I take the helm for proficiency. (He kept a helm log). The wind was howling out of the NE at 40+ knots keeping ships speed to 2 knots for flight ops. Problem with that big of a vessel is the large sail area of the hull with the angled deck, the ships head would fall off to starboard. So it was a wrestling match with the wheel to keep assigned heading. Frequently I called out that I needed more speed as I was within 5 degrees of the rudder stops. That of course put more wind down the flight deck and the CO went spastic demanding to decrease speed while glaring at me since I apparently was muttering under my breath "Turn, you monster". Called out "OOD, need more speed, cannot hold assigned course." The CO would interject; "Maintain course at assigned speed". I responded "Unable". Ships head was off 20 degrees at this point, the aircraft were having increasing difficulty approaching with an increasing crosswind. CO ordered more rudder angle to which I responded "Rudders to the stops, Aye". A definite no-no. Rudders were already at 35 degrees which he could see on his repeater. So 37 degrees of rudder went in, the steering watch in the steering rooms went berserk on the phones. Captain said what the hell you doing, I stated following orders. Ships head now 30 degrees off course. The NAV interceded at this point and said ease the rudder and increased speed. Slowly, ponderously, the carrier came back to assigned heading. All aircraft were racked and stacked in holding patterns while ships control was regained. Made it my life's mission after that to get back to the boats but by that time, all QM's were ET's and they were over manned. Left the Navy 4/97. Still have fond memories at sea in the boats in what I considered the best rate.

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    Replies
    1. Now it is the BMs doing the helm:)

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  9. The above written by Richard McCoy currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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  10. on the bridge for sunrise in the morning, sunset in the evening, in the middle of a hurricane, mid-watch, dog-watch, interpolating sunset down to the gnat's ass, watching dolphins swim alongside the ship, nearly blasting my eye out using a sextant like an idiot, snoozing in the Chart Room, going "shopping" down at "Ward's Corner" (they had nice ice cream!), snoozing in the Captain's Bridge berthing in port, chipping ton's of haze grey, painting tons of haze grey and a great deal of time swabbing the GD deck. I couldn't wait to leave and now I wish I'd never left! QM1 USS Lexington (and TAD on USS Vulcan)

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  11. Graduated from high school in Jun 1968, the draft was in full operation. Go to college or go to Vietnam. I got an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) where I found out that I couldn't do calculus ... at all. Did my plebe year and learned navigation, did third class year at sea and developed my skills. Quit school and put myself back into the draft pool. A few months later decided to join the Navy and use my skills rather than get drafted.

    I did six years in the Navy, USS Ashtabula (AO-51) and USS Barbey (FF-1088). It was an era of opportunities for promotion and I made QM1 in 4.5 years. But I decided to get out to go to work for MSC doing the same work with less military drill and for more money. Times goes by and I got my merchant marine Third Mate's license in 1978. I upgraded my license to second mate, chief mate, then master and who would have guessed? They gave me my own ship in 1983.

    I spent 26 years sailing as Master, mostly on oilers, all thanks to my Navy QM background. I'm glad to find this website, even though it seems abandoned. Oh, well, such is the fate of Quartermasters. Today's all volunteer force probably doesn't help.

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